The talks between the Be-lamsian authorities and the 13th Parliament, страница 2

The leader of the Popular Front called for Belarus' rein-tegration into Europe, European organisations and the Nato bloc. He also demanded Lukashenko's resignation and stated that the front would press for the elimination of presidency in Belarus. Pozniak believes that new elections would be necessary after the defeat of the regime, not a reanimation of the 13th Parliament.

He accused the leadership of this Parliament of betraying the opposition in November 1996 but suggested that its Speaker, Semion Sharetsky oe given another chance to "clear

himself.

Levon Borshchevsky, who spoke next, gave a detailed analysis of the situation within the Popular front, evaluated the work of the front's chairman and supported with most statements and judgements on the current political situation expressed by Zenon Pozniak.

Yuri Khodyko was late for the opening of the congress because of a meeting with the Ambassador of the Council of Europe in Belarus and Ukraine, Mr Louis Marena with members of the Advisory Council set up by the leadership of the 13th Parliament to monitor the negotiation process with the presidential power.

The almost one hour absence of Yuri Khodyko triggered rumours about alleged disagreements between him and the Front's chairman, Zenon Pozniak, who were both competing for the leadership of the Front. These rumours were confirmed later during the congress.

In his speech Mr Khodyko admitted to having disputes with Zenon Pozniak and even stated that he had lost all touch with him. "My correspondence with Zenon Pozniak during his emigration and my criticism of some of his statements ended in a complete loss of all contacts

with him," said Khodyko.

The Deputy chairman of the Front called on members of the Front to cooperate with other opposition parties and be more tolerant of their views.

He also called for an end to the ostracism of many old members of the front, particularly Valentin Golubev, Victor Ivash-kevich and Valentina Tregubo-vich who were practically removed from the leadership of the Front at the last congress for their criticising Mr Pozniak.

Yuri Khodyko also stressed that the front needed a leader who would permanently live in Belarus and indicated his disapproval of the series of mass protests in Spring. "Is it moral to hide behind the backs of young people?" asked Khodyko in his address to the congress of the Front. He suggested that the Front adopt non-violent tactics of resistance advocated by Mahatma Ghandi.

Yuri Khodyko's address had little effect on the programme statements of the Congress and on the election of the front's leadership. Nearly all member of the party's collective leadership were re-elected. Only one new member, Sergei Popkov, was brought in.

Delegates supported candidate who had been nominated by the Congress' organising committee. Yuri Khodyko had the largest negative rating with 8.5% of the congress' delegates

voting against him. All other candidates, including Valentin Golubev, who was nominated by Yuri Khodyko, were voted down.

Zenon Pozniak was re-elected as the chairman of the front with 282 votes in his favour and 5 votes against.

Of all programme statements issued by the Front, the resolution "On Talks between Two Branches of Power under the Mediation of the European Union" and the programme "Belarus: Back to Europe" deserve a special consideration.

The resolution on the political negotiations between the President and the 13th Parliament expressed scepticism about their likely outcome and proposes conditions under which such negotiations could take place.

The second document proposes a strategy of independence, contains an assessment of the current political situation and calls for the creation of a broad-based mass radical national liberation movement that would use tactics adequate to the changing situation and combine street actions with civil disobedience to the illegitimate and anti-Belarusian regime.

Such a movement would"' also be involved in educational and public awareness projects.